Just Do It

I ran my first half marathon last year. The Top of Utah here in Logan. And I'm doing it again this year. Never did I think I would PAY to run 13.1 miles. That was something crazy people did. Why would anyone want to run that far? Right?!

John's brother, Travis, kept trying to persuade him to run the St. George Marathon with him last year. He started asking him about it Winter 2009. He asked me, too. I didn't have to think twice when I answered NO. John eventually jumped on board. I thought he was nuts.

It was getting closer for registration to open up. John was reading up on the marathon. He had asked me a few times if I wanted to do it with them. He said he thought it would be fun if we did it together. Whatever, John. I was starting to get annoyed. The main thing I kept thinking was, " I can't do that. Really. I can not go the distance." Right then something happened. Telling myself I couldn't do it sparked something. How did I  know I couldn't?  My name went on the registration with Team Allen. Shortly after, I signed up for the TOU Half. I had, officially, lost my mind.

We didn't get drawn out for St. George. I was relieved. Half that distance sounded much more doable to me. The thing I found out with running: it's not as easy as it looks. There where runs that killed me. Sometimes I felt that I could go on forever. I questioned my abilities. Training was time consuming. But for some reason it was important to me to prove to myself that I could do it.

And I did. It was awesome! I was seriously proud of myself. I accomplished something I never thought I could do. I did it for me and no one else. Running taught me a lot. It's all about the finish. Finish what you start. Don't give up.  Do your best, forget the rest. The only thing standing between you and anything, is you.

But I still don't want to run 26.2 miles.

Right before the finish line. Time: 2 hours 9 minutes.

Love him. Ignore how gross and old I look.